Search - Silent In The Grave

"Silent in the Grave" begins as a Victorian domestic drama seasoned with a few mystery elements and a dash of social comedy. It gradually builds into a Gothic thriller complete with a brooding, Byronic hero and a heroine whose innocence is slowly stripped away.

Lady Julia Grey, born into a family famous for its adventurers and eccentrics, has convinced herself she wants nothing more than a life of placid domesticity. Her relief at her husband's death forces her to face facts: Her marriage was unhappy, and she has lost her sense of who she is. The revelation that her husband may have been murdered awakens her latent sense of adventure and launches her on a journey of self discovery.

Julia's investigative partner, Nicholas Brisbane, who has dark secrets of his own, guides Julia in her search for a killer. Julia soon discovers unsettling truths about her own servants, her younger brother and, finally, the man she married.

The plot built slowly but steadily and became more and more absorbing with each page turned. I read the final two-thirds of the book in two days. With Julia, I explored shadowy worlds far removed from proper Victorian society as she visited a notorious courtesan, searched a gypsy camp and questioned a prostitute.

I figured out the murderer's identity about halfway through the book, but I got the motive completely wrong and was surprised by many of the book's twists.

Author Deanna Raybourn skillfully contrasted Victorian respectability with dark desires lurking beneath the surface. I was impressed by her controlled, atmospheric writing and deft handling of the plot, as well as her skill at creating engaging, fully realized characters. Lady Julia Grey already feels like an old friend, and I plan to accompany her on her next adventure, in "Silent in the Sanctuary," soon.

I don’t wish to sound like every other person who has read this book, but I positively adored it! I found it to be beautifully written and I really couldn’t put it down. I would have finished it much more quickly if I simply had more free time, I really loved it so much. Sometimes you just can’t help but fall in love with something, despite it’s popularity.

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It was an excellent mystery and I was tempted to give it 4 stars, but the ending did not resolve Julia's personal issues that were brought out during the investigation - hence only 3 stars. The murder is solved, so it was not all open-ended. I suppose that was because Raybourn already has a sequel out (Silent in the Sanctuary) which continues Julia's story. I enjoyed the fact that Raybourn wrote the book as if it were Julia's memoirs of the events - you never get inside any one else's head, it is all seen through Julia's perspective - her thoughts and observations. I did guess the killer (correctly) early on, which is unusual for me, but the motive eluded me till the end. I look forward to reading the next one.

Like I usually do, I came into this series in the middle. I read "Silent in the Sanctuary" first, then wanted to know how Lady Grey became a widow. The book filled in all the questions from the second, and made me want to continue with the series. Lady Grey is a lady who evolves over the books, even though she can come across as a bit overbearing.
I will be reading the entire series because I enjoy Lady Grey and want to know how she evolves.

~ AN ABSOLUTE *DELIGHT* - AND UNBELIEVABLY LAUGH-OUT-LOUD FUNNY (5+ stars) ~

I absolutely loved this book and thank you to my Goodreads friend for recommending it! I was a little worried when I first started it, because my expectations had grown so high after reading her reviews for this book and the following three ones. Thankfully, it completely lived up to - and actually surpassed - my expectations :-). I checked this book out from the library, but will definitely be buying my own copy.

MAIN CHARACTERS:
It's told in first-person narration and I found our heroine, Lady Julia Grey, absolutely hysterical and very, very engaging. She at first struck me as a little weak and self-indulgent, but she really grows into her own throughout the story and while she is by no means perfect, this only makes her seem that more real and makes the book that much better. I also liked that she was a little unsure of herself at times and not supremely confident, which made her (to me) endearing and the occasions where she stands her ground and won't back down that much more noticeable and cheer-worthy.

Nicholas Brisbane, the private inquiry agent who plays her male counterpart throughout the series, is haunted (and haunting), mysterious, intelligent, and utterly seductive. I loved his irreverence and one quickly and easily sees why he would be popular with the ladies and why Julia feels so drawn to him. There is a lot about his past that we don't know and since the story is told from Julia's POV, we're sometimes blind to his motivations or feelings. Despite these two "obstacles," Raybour does an excellent job of still making the reader feel very connected to him.

The encounters between the two of them were so, so enjoyable that my only complaint was I wanted *MORE*! Their dialog is so well-written, with the tension and chemistry between them leaping off of the pages - some sections or exchanges I would reread several times before being able to move on.

EVERYTHING ELSE:
Julia's family (esp. Father and Portia) and servants (esp. Aquinas and Morag) are equally well-written and provide a great deal of added humor and depth to the story. I really cannot tell you how many times I *literally* laughed out loud while reading this book, despite the obvious horror it centers around - a murder. Julia, Brisbane, and the secondary cast of characters are so funny - most times unintentionally - that they really made the whole reading experience an absolutely fabulous one.

The mystery was very well-done, and while I had my suspicions relatively early on and they ended up being right, it was by no means obvious, the motive I had ascribed the murderer was completely and utterly wrong, and there were still several aspects of the mystery that were surprising and caught me off guard.

The ending was good if you're planning on reading the next book in the series - if not, or if I were stranded on a deserted island without the sequels, I might just tear my hair out! The mystery is completely resolved, but the relationship between Julia and Brisbane is not by any means. I am so looking forward to reading more about their adventures - and seeing how their romance plays out!!

TWO OF MY (MANY) FAVORITE JULIA-BRISBANE INTERACTIONS:
"If you were a man, your ladyship, I would cordially horsewhip you for that remark. As you are not, I will simply bid you farewell and leave you to your fresh and obviously debilitating grief." He said this last with a contemptuous glance at the Italian books piled on my desk and strode from the room.
(p66)

"Did you mean what you said? You will pursue this?" Brisbane sipped at his tea. "I suppose. I have a few other matters that I must bring to conclusion, but nothing that cannot wait. And I have no other clients questioning either my integrity or my courage at present."
(p107)

LADY JULIA GREY MYSTERY SERIES:
Book 1 - SILENT IN THE GRAVE (5+ stars)
Book 2 - Silent in the Sanctuary (4 stars)
Book 3 - Silent On The Moor (4 stars)
Book 4 - Dark Road to Darjeeling
Book 5 - The Dark Enquiry

It took me a little bit to get into this book but I am glad that I persisted. It is a great mystery and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters. Lady Grey has a great transformation throughout the book and I was very interested in her change and maturing. I loved her family. Their ecentricities were charming and I loved how they were very wealthy but lacking in all pretention and prejudices. Nicholas Brisbane is a very intriguing character and the book leaves you wanting to know more about him. It was a fun read.